Comparison of N95, KN95, FFP2, and Other Respirator Types
It is reasonable to consider, based on this comparison, the China KN95, European FFP2, AS/NZ P2, Korea 1st Class, and Japan DS FFRs as “equivalent” to US NIOSH N95 particulate respirators, for filtering non-oil-based particles such as those resulting from bioaerosols (e.g. Viruses such as COVID-19, H1N1, and SARS), PM 2.5 air pollution, wildfires, or volcanic eruptions. Prior to selecting a respirator, the provider or user should consult their local respiratory protection regulations and requirements and/or check with their local public health authorities for selection guidance.
| Certification/ Class (Standard) |
N95 (NIOSH‐42CFR84) |
KN95 (GB2626‐ 2006) |
FFP2 (EN149‐2001) |
P2 (AS/NZ 1716:2012) |
Korea 1st Class (KMOEL – 2017-64) |
DS (Japan JMHLW Notification 214, 2018) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Filter performance – (must be ≥ X% efficient) | ≥ 95% | ≥ 95% | ≥ 94% | ≥ 94% | ≥ 94% | ≥ 95% |
| Test Agent | NaCl | NaCl | NaCl and Paraffin Oil | NaCl | NaCl and Paraffin Oil | NaCl |
| Flow Rate | 85 L/min | 85 L/min | 95 L/min | 95 L/min | 95 L/min | 85 L/min |
| Total Inward Leakage (TIL¹) – tested on human subjects each performing exercises | n/a | ≤ 8% Leakage (arithmetic mean) | ≤ 8% Leakage (arithmetic mean) | ≤ 8% Leakage (individual & arithmetic mean) | ≤ 8% Leakage (arithmetic mean) | Inward Leakage measured and included in user instructions |
| Inhalation Resistance – max pressure drop | ≤ 343 Pa | ≤ 350 Pa | ≤ 70 Pa (at 30 L/min) ≤ 240 Pa (at 95 L/min) ≤ 500 Pa (clogging) |
≤ 70 Pa (at 30 L/min) ≤ 240 Pa (at 95 L/min) |
≤ 70 Pa (at 30 L/min) ≤ 240 Pa (at 95 L/min) |
≤ 70 Pa (w/valve) ≤ 50 Pa (no valve) |
| Flow Rate | 85 L/min | 85 L/min | varied – see above |
varied – see above |
varied – see above |
40 L/min |
| Exhalation Resistance – max pressure drop | ≤ 245 Pa | ≤ 250 Pa | ≤ 300 Pa | ≤ 120 Pa | ≤ 300 Pa | ≤ 70 Pa (w/valve) ≤ 50 Pa (no valve) |
| Flow Rate | 85 L/min | 85 L/min | 160 L/min | 85 L/min | 160 L/min | 40 L/min |
| Exhalation Valve Leakage Requirement | Leak Rate ≤ 30 mL/min | Depressurization to 0 Pa ≥ 20 sec | n/a | Leak Rate ≤ 30 mL/min | Visual inspection after 300 L/min for 30 sec | Depressurization to 0 Pa ≥ 15 sec |
| Force Applied | -245 Pa | -1180 Pa | n/a | -250 Pa | n/a | -1470 Pa |
| CO₂ Clearance Requirement | n/a | ≤ 1% | ≤ 1% | ≤ 1% | ≤ 1% | ≤ 1% |